Arbitration Services, 30704-30706 [2010-13120]
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30704
Federal Register / Vol. 75, No. 105 / Wednesday, June 2, 2010 / Rules and Regulations
4. How do we evaluate your word recognition
ability if you are not fluent in English?
If you are not fluent in English, you should
have word recognition testing using an
appropriate word list for the language in
which you are most fluent. The person
conducting the test should be fluent in the
language used for the test. If there is no
appropriate word list or no person who is
fluent in the language and qualified to
perform the test, it may not be possible to
measure your word recognition ability. If
your word recognition ability cannot be
measured, your hearing loss cannot meet
102.10B2 or 102.11B. Instead, we will
consider the facts of your case to determine
whether you have difficulty understanding
words in the language in which you are most
fluent, and if so, whether that degree of
difficulty medically equals 102.10B2 or
102.11B. For example, we will consider how
you interact with family members,
interpreters, and other persons who speak the
language in which you are most fluent.
5. What do we mean by a marked limitation
in speech or language as used in 102.10B3?
a. We will consider you to have a marked
limitation in speech if:
(i) Entire phrases or sentences in your
conversation are intelligible to unfamiliar
listeners at least 50 percent (half) of the time
but no more than 67 percent (two-thirds) of
the time on your first attempt; and
(ii) Your sound production or phonological
patterns (the ways in which you combine
speech sounds) are atypical for your age.
b. We will consider you to have a marked
limitation in language when your current and
valid test score on an appropriate
comprehensive, standardized test of overall
language functioning is at least two standard
deviations below the mean. In addition, the
evidence of your daily communication
functioning must be consistent with your test
score. If you are not fluent in English, it may
not be possible to test your language
performance. If we cannot test your language
performance, your hearing loss cannot meet
102.10B3. Instead, we will consider the facts
of your case to determine whether your
hearing loss medically equals 102.10B3.
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102.01 Category of Impairments, Special
Senses and Speech
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102.10 Hearing Loss Not Treated With
Cochlear Implantation
A. For children from birth to the
attainment of age 5, an average air
conduction hearing threshold of 50 decibels
or greater in the better ear (see 102.00B2).
OR
B. For children from age 5 to the
attainment of age 18:
1. An average air conduction hearing
threshold of 70 decibels or greater in the
better ear and an average bone conduction
hearing threshold of 40 decibels or greater in
the better ear (see 102.00B2f); or
2. A word recognition score of 40 percent
or less in the better ear determined using a
standardized list of phonetically balanced
monosyllabic words (see 102.00B2f); or
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3. An average air conduction hearing
threshold of 50 decibels or greater in the
better ear and a marked limitation in speech
or language (see 102.00B2f and 102.00B5).
102.11 Hearing Loss Treated With Cochlear
Implantation
A. Consider under a disability until the
attainment of age 5 or for 1 year after initial
implantation, whichever is later.
OR
B. Upon the attainment of age 5 or 1 year
after initial implantation, whichever is later,
a word recognition score of 60 percent or less
determined using the HINT or the HINT–C
(see 102.00B3b).
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[FR Doc. 2010–13094 Filed 6–1–10; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4191–02–P
FEDERAL MEDIATION AND
CONCILIATION SERVICE
29 CFR Part 1404
RIN 3076–AA12
Arbitration Services
AGENCY: Federal Mediation and
Conciliation Service.
ACTION: Final rule.
SUMMARY: This final rule amends the
Federal Mediation and Conciliation
Service (FMCS) rules pertaining to
arbitration services. It revises rules
addressing the removal of arbitrators
from the FMCS roster, the process
relating to complaints about arbitrators,
procedures for requesting lists and
panels, arbitrators’ inactive status, the
selection by parties and appointment of
arbitrators, and arbitrators’ obligation to
provide FMCS with certain case
information. The final rule also provides
that FMCS may decline to service any
request by a party for an arbitration list
or panel based on the party’s nonpayment of arbitrator fees. In addition,
the final rule raises the annual listing
fee for all arbitrators on the FMCS
roster. The changes will promote more
efficient and effective procedures
involving arbitrator retention and
arbitration services. The increased
annual listing fee more accurately
reflects FMCS’s costs of maintaining
and responding to requests for
arbitrators’ biographical data. The final
rule withdraws the proposed revisions
to § 1404.9(b).
DATES: This final rule is effective July 2,
2010.
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT:
Vella M. Traynham, Director, Office of
Arbitration Services, FMCS, 2100 K
Street, NW., Washington, DC 20427.
Telephone: (202) 606–5111.
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Pursuant
to 29 U.S.C. 171(b) and 29 CFR part
1404, FMCS maintains a roster of
qualified labor arbitrators to hear
disputes arising under collective
bargaining agreements and provide fact
finding and interest arbitration. FMCS
amends its rules pertaining to such
arbitration services as follows: The
revised rule relating to the removal of
arbitrators from the roster provides that
FMCS will give written notice of
removal to the affected arbitrator. The
revised rule relating to complaints
against arbitrators provides that
complaints should be in writing and
directed to the director of the office of
arbitration services, and should cite
specific sections of the professional
code or FMCS rules allegedly violated
by the arbitrator. The revised rule on
arbitrators’ inactive status clarifies the
applicable annual listing fee and
suggests that arbitrators use inactive
status to assist them in certain
scheduling circumstances. The revised
rule on procedures for requesting panels
and lists provides that FMCS may
decline to service any request from a
party for arbitration lists or panels based
on the party’s non-payment of arbitrator
fees. The revised rule on the selection
by parties and appointment of
arbitrators provides that arbitrators must
provide FMCS with certain information
upon being selected by a party. The
revised rules describe the methods of
arbitrator selection that FMCS will
accept, where the parties’ collective
agreement is silent on the manner of
selection. These changes are intended to
make FMCS’s arbitration procedures
more efficient and effective.
FMCS also amends Appendix to Part
1404 to increase the annual listing fee
from $100 to $150 for all arbitrators on
the FMCS roster. With increasing
frequency, parties have been requesting
that FMCS furnish arbitration panels
that are individualized to the dispute at
issue. This requires detailed research
and review of arbitrators’ biographies.
The increased listing fee reflects the cost
in staff time necessary to be responsive
to these requests as well as the costs
associated with updating arbitrator
biographies.
This rule is not a significant
regulatory action for the purposes of
Executive Order 12866 and has not been
reviewed by the Office of Management
and Budget. As required by the
Regulatory Flexibility Act, I certify that
this rule will not have a significant
impact on a substantial number of small
entities. This regulation does not have
any federalism or tribal implications.
Background: On August 6, 2008,
FMCS published a Notice of Proposed
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:
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Federal Register / Vol. 75, No. 105 / Wednesday, June 2, 2010 / Rules and Regulations
Rulemaking (NPRM) proposing changes
to its rules relating to the removal of
arbitrators from the FMCS roster, the
process relating to complaints about
arbitrators, procedures for requesting
arbitrator lists and panels, arbitrators’
inactive status, the selection by parties
and appointment of arbitrators, and
arbitrators’ obligation to provide FMCS
with certain case information. The
proposed rules also addressed FMCS’s
response to requests for arbitration lists
or panels made by one party, where the
collective bargaining agreement requires
that the request be jointly submitted. In
addition, the proposed rules addressed
FMCS’s option to decline to service any
request from a party, based on the
party’s non-payment of arbitrator fees,
and raised the annual listing fee for
arbitrators on the FMCS roster.
FMCS is adopting the final rule with
one change from that which was
proposed. The final rule withdraws the
proposed revisions to § 1404.9(b), which
had modified FMCS’s response to
requests for arbitration lists or panels
made by one party, where the collective
bargaining agreement requires that the
request be jointly submitted.
Discussion of Comments: FMCS
received comments from two sources in
response to the NPRM. One
commentator suggested that the
proposed changes to § 1404.9(b) insert
FMCS into the arena of administering
and interpreting collective bargaining
agreements, and do not take into
account the parties’ past practices.
FMCS has given careful review and
consideration to the comment and the
language in the proposed revision to
§ 1404.9(b) and has determined it will
withdraw the revision to § 1404.9(b).
FMCS received comments from two
sources regarding the proposed changes
to § 1404.9(d). One commentator
opposed the revision to the extent that
it could allow a single failure to pay an
arbitrator’s fees to disqualify a party
from obtaining a panel. Another
commentator objected to the revision
because the proposed rule does not
differentiate between a genuine fee
dispute and simple nonpayment. FMCS
has given careful review and
consideration to the comments. FMCS
has determined, however, that the
proposed rule, by stating only that
FMCS’s office of arbitration services
may decline to service any request from
a party based on the party’s nonpayment of fees, will ensure that
decisions whether to decline services
will be considered. Accordingly, no
changes are made to the final rule.
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List of Subjects in 29 CFR Part 1404
Administrative practice and
procedure, Labor management relations.
■ For the reasons stated in the preamble,
FMCS amends 29 CFR Part 1404 as
follows:
PART 1404—ARBITRATION SERVICES
1. The authority citation for part 1404
continues to read as follows:
■
Authority: 29 U.S.C. 172 and 29 U.S.C. 173
et seq.
2. Amend § 1404.5 by revising
paragraph (d) introductory text to read
as follows:
■
§ 1404.5 Listing on the roster; criteria for
listing and retention.
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(d) Listing on roster, removal. Listing
on the Roster shall be by decision of the
Director of FMCS based upon the
recommendations of the Board or upon
the Director’s own initiative. The Board
may recommend for removal, and the
Director may remove, any person listed
on the Roster for violation of this Part
or of the Code of Professional
Responsibility. FMCS will provide to
the affected arbitrator written notice of
removal from the Roster. Complaints
about arbitrators should be in writing
and sent to the Director of OAS. The
complaint should cite the specific
section of the Code or the FMCS rule the
arbitrator has allegedly violated. The
following criteria shall be a basis for the
Board to recommend and/or the Director
to initiate a member’s removal from the
Roster:
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■
3. Revise § 1404.6 to read as follows:
§ 1404.6
Inactive status.
(a) A member of the Roster who
continues to meet the criteria for listing
on the Roster may request that he or she
be put in an inactive status on a
temporary basis because of ill heath,
vacation, schedule or other reasons.
(b) Arbitrators whose schedules do
not permit cases to be heard within six
months of assignment are encouraged to
make themselves inactive temporarily
until their caseload permits the earlier
scheduling of cases.
(c) An arbitrator can remain on
inactive status without paying any
annual listing fee for a period of two (2)
years. If an arbitrator is on inactive
status for longer than two (2) years, the
arbitrator will be removed from the
Roster unless he or she pays the annual
listing fee.
4. Amend § 1404.9 by revising
paragraph (d) to read as follows:
■
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30705
§ 1404.9 Procedures for requesting
arbitration lists and panels.
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(d) The OAS reserves the right to
decline to submit a panel or to make an
appointment of an arbitrator if the
request submitted is overly burdensome
or otherwise impracticable. The OAS, in
such circumstances, may refer the
parties to an FMCS mediator to help in
the design of an alternative solution.
The OAS may also decline to service
any request from a party based on the
party’s non-payment of arbitrator fees or
other behavior that constrains the spirit
or operation of the arbitration process.
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■ 5. Revise § 1404.12 to read as follows:
§ 1404.12 Selection by parties and
appointment of arbitrators.
(a) After receiving a panel of names,
the parties must notify the OAS of their
selection of an arbitrator or of the
decision not to proceed with arbitration.
Upon notification of the selection of an
arbitrator, the OAS will make a formal
appointment of the arbitrator. The
arbitrator, upon notification of
appointment, shall communicate with
the parties within 14 days to arrange for
preliminary matters, such as the date
and place of hearing. Should an
arbitrator be notified directly by the
parties that he or she has been selected,
the arbitrator must promptly notify the
OAS of the selection and of his or her
willingness to serve. The arbitrator must
provide the OAS with the FMCS case
number and other pertinent information
for the OAS to make an appointment. A
pattern of failure by an arbitrator to
notify FMCS of a selection in an FMCS
case may result in suspension or
removal from the Roster. If the parties
settle a case prior to the hearing, the
parties must inform the arbitrator as
well as the OAS. Consistent failure to
follow these procedures may lead to a
denial of future OAS services.
(b) If the parties request a list of
names and biographical sketches rather
than a panel, the parties may choose to
contact and select an arbitrator directly
from that list. In this situation, neither
the parties nor the arbitrator is required
to furnish any additional information to
FMCS and no case number will be
assigned.
(c) Where the parties’ collective
bargaining agreement is silent on the
manner of selecting arbitrators, FMCS
will accept one of the following
methods for selection from a panel:
(1) A selection by mutual agreement;
(2) A selection in which each party
alternately strikes a name from the
submitted panel until one remains;
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(3) A selection in which each party
advises OAS of its order of preference
by numbering each name on the panel
and submitting the numbered list in
writing to OAS. If the parties separately
notify OAS of their preferred selections,
OAS, upon receiving the preferred
selection of the first party, will notify
the other party that it has fourteen (14)
days in which to submit its selections.
Where both parties respond, the name
that has the lowest combined number
will be appointed. If the other party fails
to respond, the first party’s choice will
be honored.
(d) Where the parties’ collective
bargaining agreement permits each party
to separately notify OAS of its preferred
selection, OAS will proceed with the
selection process as follows. When the
OAS receives the preferred selection
from one party, it will notify the other
party that it has fourteen (14) days in
which to submit its selections. If that
party fails to respond within the
deadline, the first party’s choice will be
honored unless prohibited by the
collective bargaining agreement. Where
both parties respond, the name that has
the lowest combined number will be
appointed. If, within fourteen (14) days,
a second panel is requested, and is
permitted by the collective bargaining
agreement, the requesting party must
pay a fee for the second panel.
(e) The OAS will make a direct
appointment of an arbitrator only upon
joint request or as provided by
paragraphs (c) (3) or (d) of this section.
(f) A direct appointment in no way
signifies a determination of arbitrability
or a ruling that an agreement to arbitrate
exists. The resolution of disputes over
these issues rests solely with the parties.
6. Amend the Appendix to 29 CFR
Part 1404 by removing ‘‘$100’’ and
adding ‘‘$150’’ in its place.
■
[FR Doc. 2010–13120 Filed 6–1–10; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 6732–01–P
DEPARTMENT OF HOMELAND
SECURITY
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Coast Guard
33 CFR Part 165
[Docket No. USCG–2010–0158]
RIN 1625–AA00
Safety Zone; Wilson Bay, Jacksonville,
NC
Coast Guard, DHS.
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Temporary final rule.
SUMMARY: The Coast Guard is
establishing a temporary safety zone on
the waters of Wilson Bay at Jacksonville,
North Carolina for training purposes.
The safety zone is necessary to provide
for the safety of the general public and
exercise participants from potential
hazards associated with low flying
helicopters and vessels participating in
this multi agency exercise.
DATES: This rule is effective from 6 a.m.
until 5 p.m. on June 9, 2010.
ADDRESSES: Comments and material
received from the public, as well as
documents mentioned in this preamble
as being available in the docket, are part
of docket USCG–2010–0158 and are
available online by going to https://
www.regulations.gov, inserting USCG–
2010–0158 in the ‘‘Keyword’’ box, and
then clicking ‘‘Search.’’ This material is
also available for inspection or copying
at the Docket Management Facility (M–
30), U.S. Department of Transportation,
West Building Ground Floor, Room
W12–140, 1200 New Jersey Avenue, SE.,
Washington, DC 20590, between 9 a.m.
and 5 p.m., Monday through Friday,
except Federal holidays.
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: If
you have questions on this temporary
rule, call or e-mail CWO4 Stephen
Lyons, Waterways Management
Division Chief, Coast Guard Sector
North Carolina; telephone (252) 247–
4525, e-mail
Stephen.W.Lyons2@uscg.mil. If you
have questions on viewing the docket,
call Renee V. Wright, Program Manager,
Docket Operations, telephone 202–366–
9826.
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:
Regulatory Information
Dated: May 26, 2010.
Jeannette Walters-Marquez,
Attorney Advisor.
AGENCY:
ACTION:
On April 2, 2010, we published a
notice of proposed rulemaking (NPRM)
entitled Safety Zone: Wilson Bay,
Jacksonville, NC in the Federal Register
(75 FR 16703). We received no
comments on the proposed rule. No
public meeting was requested, and none
was held.
Under 5 U.S.C. 553(d)(3), the Coast
Guard finds that good cause exists for
making this rule effective less than 30
days after publication in the Federal
Register. Due to the need for immediate
action, the restriction of vessel traffic is
necessary to protect life, property and
the environment; therefore, a 30-day
notice is impracticable. Delaying the
effective date would be contrary to the
safety zone’s intended objectives of
protecting persons and vessels involved
in the event, and enhancing public and
maritime safety.
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Basis and Purpose
The Onslow County North Carolina
Emergency Services will be conducting
a multi agency exercise to test response
capabilities of water rescue services in
a mass casualty scenario on the waters
of Wilson Bay, Onslow County, North
Carolina from 6 a.m. to 5 p.m. June 9,
2010. The exercise is designed to train
and test air and surface personnel in the
judgmental decisionmaking process
necessary to safely and effectively
respond to a mass casualty incident.
The exercise will involve helicopters,
vessels, safety craft, divers, and rescue
swimmers. This zone is necessary to
establish a temporary restricted area in
Wilson Bay to ensure the safety of
participants within the exercise site.
Discussion of Comments and Changes
We received no comments on the
proposed rule. No public meeting was
requested, and none was held. The
Coast Guard is implementing the rule as
proposed, without change.
Regulatory Analyses
We developed this rule after
considering numerous statutes and
executive orders related to rulemaking.
Below we summarize our analyses
based on 13 of these statutes or
executive orders.
Regulatory Planning and Review
This rule is not a significant
regulatory action under section 3(f) of
Executive Order 12866, Regulatory
Planning and Review, and does not
require an assessment of potential costs
and benefits under section 6(a)(3) of that
Order. The Office of Management and
Budget has not reviewed it under that
Order.
Although this regulation will restrict
access to the area, the effect of this rule
will not be significant because: (i) The
safety zone will only be in effect from
6 a.m. to 5 p.m. on June 9, 2010, (ii) the
Coast Guard will give advance
notification via maritime advisories so
mariners can adjust their plans
accordingly, and (iii) although the safety
zone will apply to a section of Wilson
Bay, it will not restrict vessel traffic in
the federally marked channel.
Small Entities
Under the Regulatory Flexibility Act
(5 U.S.C. 601–612), we have considered
whether this rule would have a
significant economic impact on a
substantial number of small entities.
The term ‘‘small entities’’ comprises
small businesses, not-for-profit
organizations that are independently
owned and operated and are not
dominant in their fields, and
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Agencies
[Federal Register Volume 75, Number 105 (Wednesday, June 2, 2010)]
[Rules and Regulations]
[Pages 30704-30706]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Printing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2010-13120]
=======================================================================
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FEDERAL MEDIATION AND CONCILIATION SERVICE
29 CFR Part 1404
RIN 3076-AA12
Arbitration Services
AGENCY: Federal Mediation and Conciliation Service.
ACTION: Final rule.
-----------------------------------------------------------------------
SUMMARY: This final rule amends the Federal Mediation and Conciliation
Service (FMCS) rules pertaining to arbitration services. It revises
rules addressing the removal of arbitrators from the FMCS roster, the
process relating to complaints about arbitrators, procedures for
requesting lists and panels, arbitrators' inactive status, the
selection by parties and appointment of arbitrators, and arbitrators'
obligation to provide FMCS with certain case information. The final
rule also provides that FMCS may decline to service any request by a
party for an arbitration list or panel based on the party's non-payment
of arbitrator fees. In addition, the final rule raises the annual
listing fee for all arbitrators on the FMCS roster. The changes will
promote more efficient and effective procedures involving arbitrator
retention and arbitration services. The increased annual listing fee
more accurately reflects FMCS's costs of maintaining and responding to
requests for arbitrators' biographical data. The final rule withdraws
the proposed revisions to Sec. 1404.9(b).
DATES: This final rule is effective July 2, 2010.
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Vella M. Traynham, Director, Office of
Arbitration Services, FMCS, 2100 K Street, NW., Washington, DC 20427.
Telephone: (202) 606-5111.
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: Pursuant to 29 U.S.C. 171(b) and 29 CFR part
1404, FMCS maintains a roster of qualified labor arbitrators to hear
disputes arising under collective bargaining agreements and provide
fact finding and interest arbitration. FMCS amends its rules pertaining
to such arbitration services as follows: The revised rule relating to
the removal of arbitrators from the roster provides that FMCS will give
written notice of removal to the affected arbitrator. The revised rule
relating to complaints against arbitrators provides that complaints
should be in writing and directed to the director of the office of
arbitration services, and should cite specific sections of the
professional code or FMCS rules allegedly violated by the arbitrator.
The revised rule on arbitrators' inactive status clarifies the
applicable annual listing fee and suggests that arbitrators use
inactive status to assist them in certain scheduling circumstances. The
revised rule on procedures for requesting panels and lists provides
that FMCS may decline to service any request from a party for
arbitration lists or panels based on the party's non-payment of
arbitrator fees. The revised rule on the selection by parties and
appointment of arbitrators provides that arbitrators must provide FMCS
with certain information upon being selected by a party. The revised
rules describe the methods of arbitrator selection that FMCS will
accept, where the parties' collective agreement is silent on the manner
of selection. These changes are intended to make FMCS's arbitration
procedures more efficient and effective.
FMCS also amends Appendix to Part 1404 to increase the annual
listing fee from $100 to $150 for all arbitrators on the FMCS roster.
With increasing frequency, parties have been requesting that FMCS
furnish arbitration panels that are individualized to the dispute at
issue. This requires detailed research and review of arbitrators'
biographies. The increased listing fee reflects the cost in staff time
necessary to be responsive to these requests as well as the costs
associated with updating arbitrator biographies.
This rule is not a significant regulatory action for the purposes
of Executive Order 12866 and has not been reviewed by the Office of
Management and Budget. As required by the Regulatory Flexibility Act, I
certify that this rule will not have a significant impact on a
substantial number of small entities. This regulation does not have any
federalism or tribal implications.
Background: On August 6, 2008, FMCS published a Notice of Proposed
[[Page 30705]]
Rulemaking (NPRM) proposing changes to its rules relating to the
removal of arbitrators from the FMCS roster, the process relating to
complaints about arbitrators, procedures for requesting arbitrator
lists and panels, arbitrators' inactive status, the selection by
parties and appointment of arbitrators, and arbitrators' obligation to
provide FMCS with certain case information. The proposed rules also
addressed FMCS's response to requests for arbitration lists or panels
made by one party, where the collective bargaining agreement requires
that the request be jointly submitted. In addition, the proposed rules
addressed FMCS's option to decline to service any request from a party,
based on the party's non-payment of arbitrator fees, and raised the
annual listing fee for arbitrators on the FMCS roster.
FMCS is adopting the final rule with one change from that which was
proposed. The final rule withdraws the proposed revisions to Sec.
1404.9(b), which had modified FMCS's response to requests for
arbitration lists or panels made by one party, where the collective
bargaining agreement requires that the request be jointly submitted.
Discussion of Comments: FMCS received comments from two sources in
response to the NPRM. One commentator suggested that the proposed
changes to Sec. 1404.9(b) insert FMCS into the arena of administering
and interpreting collective bargaining agreements, and do not take into
account the parties' past practices. FMCS has given careful review and
consideration to the comment and the language in the proposed revision
to Sec. 1404.9(b) and has determined it will withdraw the revision to
Sec. 1404.9(b).
FMCS received comments from two sources regarding the proposed
changes to Sec. 1404.9(d). One commentator opposed the revision to the
extent that it could allow a single failure to pay an arbitrator's fees
to disqualify a party from obtaining a panel. Another commentator
objected to the revision because the proposed rule does not
differentiate between a genuine fee dispute and simple nonpayment. FMCS
has given careful review and consideration to the comments. FMCS has
determined, however, that the proposed rule, by stating only that
FMCS's office of arbitration services may decline to service any
request from a party based on the party's non-payment of fees, will
ensure that decisions whether to decline services will be considered.
Accordingly, no changes are made to the final rule.
List of Subjects in 29 CFR Part 1404
Administrative practice and procedure, Labor management relations.
0
For the reasons stated in the preamble, FMCS amends 29 CFR Part 1404 as
follows:
PART 1404--ARBITRATION SERVICES
0
1. The authority citation for part 1404 continues to read as follows:
Authority: 29 U.S.C. 172 and 29 U.S.C. 173 et seq.
0
2. Amend Sec. 1404.5 by revising paragraph (d) introductory text to
read as follows:
Sec. 1404.5 Listing on the roster; criteria for listing and
retention.
* * * * *
(d) Listing on roster, removal. Listing on the Roster shall be by
decision of the Director of FMCS based upon the recommendations of the
Board or upon the Director's own initiative. The Board may recommend
for removal, and the Director may remove, any person listed on the
Roster for violation of this Part or of the Code of Professional
Responsibility. FMCS will provide to the affected arbitrator written
notice of removal from the Roster. Complaints about arbitrators should
be in writing and sent to the Director of OAS. The complaint should
cite the specific section of the Code or the FMCS rule the arbitrator
has allegedly violated. The following criteria shall be a basis for the
Board to recommend and/or the Director to initiate a member's removal
from the Roster:
* * * * *
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3. Revise Sec. 1404.6 to read as follows:
Sec. 1404.6 Inactive status.
(a) A member of the Roster who continues to meet the criteria for
listing on the Roster may request that he or she be put in an inactive
status on a temporary basis because of ill heath, vacation, schedule or
other reasons.
(b) Arbitrators whose schedules do not permit cases to be heard
within six months of assignment are encouraged to make themselves
inactive temporarily until their caseload permits the earlier
scheduling of cases.
(c) An arbitrator can remain on inactive status without paying any
annual listing fee for a period of two (2) years. If an arbitrator is
on inactive status for longer than two (2) years, the arbitrator will
be removed from the Roster unless he or she pays the annual listing
fee.
0
4. Amend Sec. 1404.9 by revising paragraph (d) to read as follows:
Sec. 1404.9 Procedures for requesting arbitration lists and panels.
* * * * *
(d) The OAS reserves the right to decline to submit a panel or to
make an appointment of an arbitrator if the request submitted is overly
burdensome or otherwise impracticable. The OAS, in such circumstances,
may refer the parties to an FMCS mediator to help in the design of an
alternative solution. The OAS may also decline to service any request
from a party based on the party's non-payment of arbitrator fees or
other behavior that constrains the spirit or operation of the
arbitration process.
* * * * *
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5. Revise Sec. 1404.12 to read as follows:
Sec. 1404.12 Selection by parties and appointment of arbitrators.
(a) After receiving a panel of names, the parties must notify the
OAS of their selection of an arbitrator or of the decision not to
proceed with arbitration. Upon notification of the selection of an
arbitrator, the OAS will make a formal appointment of the arbitrator.
The arbitrator, upon notification of appointment, shall communicate
with the parties within 14 days to arrange for preliminary matters,
such as the date and place of hearing. Should an arbitrator be notified
directly by the parties that he or she has been selected, the
arbitrator must promptly notify the OAS of the selection and of his or
her willingness to serve. The arbitrator must provide the OAS with the
FMCS case number and other pertinent information for the OAS to make an
appointment. A pattern of failure by an arbitrator to notify FMCS of a
selection in an FMCS case may result in suspension or removal from the
Roster. If the parties settle a case prior to the hearing, the parties
must inform the arbitrator as well as the OAS. Consistent failure to
follow these procedures may lead to a denial of future OAS services.
(b) If the parties request a list of names and biographical
sketches rather than a panel, the parties may choose to contact and
select an arbitrator directly from that list. In this situation,
neither the parties nor the arbitrator is required to furnish any
additional information to FMCS and no case number will be assigned.
(c) Where the parties' collective bargaining agreement is silent on
the manner of selecting arbitrators, FMCS will accept one of the
following methods for selection from a panel:
(1) A selection by mutual agreement;
(2) A selection in which each party alternately strikes a name from
the submitted panel until one remains;
[[Page 30706]]
(3) A selection in which each party advises OAS of its order of
preference by numbering each name on the panel and submitting the
numbered list in writing to OAS. If the parties separately notify OAS
of their preferred selections, OAS, upon receiving the preferred
selection of the first party, will notify the other party that it has
fourteen (14) days in which to submit its selections. Where both
parties respond, the name that has the lowest combined number will be
appointed. If the other party fails to respond, the first party's
choice will be honored.
(d) Where the parties' collective bargaining agreement permits each
party to separately notify OAS of its preferred selection, OAS will
proceed with the selection process as follows. When the OAS receives
the preferred selection from one party, it will notify the other party
that it has fourteen (14) days in which to submit its selections. If
that party fails to respond within the deadline, the first party's
choice will be honored unless prohibited by the collective bargaining
agreement. Where both parties respond, the name that has the lowest
combined number will be appointed. If, within fourteen (14) days, a
second panel is requested, and is permitted by the collective
bargaining agreement, the requesting party must pay a fee for the
second panel.
(e) The OAS will make a direct appointment of an arbitrator only
upon joint request or as provided by paragraphs (c) (3) or (d) of this
section.
(f) A direct appointment in no way signifies a determination of
arbitrability or a ruling that an agreement to arbitrate exists. The
resolution of disputes over these issues rests solely with the parties.
0
6. Amend the Appendix to 29 CFR Part 1404 by removing ``$100'' and
adding ``$150'' in its place.
Dated: May 26, 2010.
Jeannette Walters-Marquez,
Attorney Advisor.
[FR Doc. 2010-13120 Filed 6-1-10; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 6732-01-P